Ever see a number on a Michigan State football jersey and think of all the great players to wear it? Me, too. In this daily series, I’ll give you my take on which Spartan football player was the best ever to wear each number. The criteria are simple: How did he perform at MSU? And what kind of impact did he have on the program?

Georgia's Rodney Hampton (7) is grabbed in his face mask by Michigan State's Harlon Barnett (36) but tumbles into the end zone for a score during Gator Bowl, Jan. 1, 1989 in Jacksonville.(Photo: Marcy Nighswander/Associated Press)

Why Barnett?

Harlon Barnett showed glimpses of what he could do in the Spartans’ secondary, but it wasn’t until his senior season that he solidified himself as one of the best cornerbacks to come through East Lansing.

That season, the All-American and team captain from Cincinnati racked up 73 total tackles, including eight for loss, and picked off three passes in George Perles’ top-ranked defense. The Spartans boasted the No. 1 defense in the Big Ten during their run to an Aloha Bowl championship. They were 11th nationally that season.

A three-year starter at corner, Barnett brought physicality to the position. He was also a winner. During his time on campus, MSU played in four bowl games. The Spartans won the 1988 Rose Bowl and the Aloha Bowl.

With his stock at an all-time high, Barnett was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 1990 NFL draft. Barnett played seven seasons in the league, including stops in New England and Minnesota.

After his playing days, Barnett entered the coaching ranks. He was a defensive coach at MSU for 11 seasons. Last winter, after leading the Spartans back to the top of the national defensive standings, he was lured away by Florida State, where he will be the defensive coordinator under Willie Taggart.

Barnett was a winner as a coach at MSU, too. During his tenure, the Spartans reached nine bowl games, including a Rose Bowl victory in 2014, and a berth in the College Football Playoff in 2015.